The Beatles Backyard

[Karl Henning]

Probably, after Rubber Soul, The Beatles transitioned into a realm of songs that are difficult to classify. Nevertheless:
- The most beautiful song is Something.
- The most heartbreaking is For No One.
- The most transcendent is Come Together.
- The greatest breakthrough is Strawberry Fields Forever.

Nice.

[Number Six]

I voted Let it Be, Abbey Road, and Past Masters 2. 

If you asked me tomorrow, it might be Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers. 

Or something else. There's really nothing I don't like, aside maybe for Yellow Submarine. 

[San Antone]

Over the last two days we've watched Beatles 64 and Let It Be, two documentaries.





The one focusing on 1964 was especially fun since both my wife and I were 11 and 12 respectively in 1964 - possibly the prime age group to appreciate Beatlemania and the British Invasion.

[Elgarian Redux]

I voted Let it Be, Abbey Road, and Past Masters 2.

If you asked me tomorrow, it might be Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sgt Peppers.

Or something else. There's really nothing I don't like, aside maybe for Yellow Submarine.

Much the same situation for me. If I say Sgt Pepper, Abbey Road and Revolver, I start anguishing that Please Please me is missing, which turned my world upside down in 1963. The only thing I'm sure of is Sgt Pepper, if I were limited to one only. Not because it has the best songs - Revolver might edge ahead, on that basis. No, for me it's the unique immersive experience it offers, listened to in a darkened room, as the curtains open and the show begins. I swallowed completely the theatrical concept and never lost it, despite later disclaimers from the Beatles themselves.

But when all is said, I really couldn't cope without the closing medley on Abbey Road, so what's a chap to do?

[Number Six]

Also, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. 

[Karl Henning]

Also, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. 

I should listen to that.

[Number Six]

I should listen to that.

It feels more raw, like the versions from the Rooftop Concert. 

[Elgarian Redux]

Also, I generally prefer Let it Be Nekkid to the original. 

What Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)

Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary, Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.

[AnotherSpin]

I listened to Let It Be as it is today. Sure, we all want to imagine how it could be improved and turned into a treasure. But it's already good just the way it is. Okay, the band was behind its prime already. We all are.

[Number Six]

What Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)

Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary, Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.

That's such a great film.

Some of my favorite moments:

1. When Ringo is nervous about his own composition, and George sits at the piano and works on it with him. (I find that moment to be so sweet as to be tear-worthy.)

2. When George quits, and later in the day Paul and John say they should probably go to his house and check on him. Ringo says something like, "I was already planning to do that."

3. When they're sitting and debating whether to do the concert, and Ringo suddenly says, "I want to do it." They all turn and look at him like they'd forgotten he could speak.

What I am saying is, I love Ringo in this movie. (Love him in Hard Day's Night, too.)

[Number Six]

I listened to Let It Be as it is today. Sure, we all want to imagine how it could be improved and turned into a treasure. But it's already good just the way it is. Okay, the band was behind its prime already. We all are.

Admittedly, my preference with most albums is to listen to it as it was released, at first. No bonus tracks or demos or alternate versions. What were people hearing when the record came out? 

(this is especially the case with jazz reissues, which almost always have a bunch of extra crap attached - likely to fill out the CD run time) 

[Karl Henning]

What Karl said. (And thanks for the nudge, No.6.)

Even more so now that I'm on my second watching of the astounding, amazing, utterly brilliant, Peter Jackson long movie documentary, Get Back. The bonhomie, general good feeling, brilliant music-making, and sheer fun of it all make me think I'd hear the whole Let it be album differently, if Mr Spector's machinations were removed.

Testify!

[Kalevala]

Probably, after Rubber Soul, The Beatles transitioned into a realm of songs that are difficult to classify. Nevertheless:
- The most beautiful song is Something.
- The most heartbreaking is For No One.
- The most transcendent is Come Together.
- The greatest breakthrough is Strawberry Fields Forever.

I don't believe that I've ever heard For No One?  Which album did that come out on?

Heartbreaking for me makes me think of Eleanor Rigby.

K

[AnotherSpin]

I don't believe that I've ever heard For No One?  Which album did that come out on?

Heartbreaking for me makes me think of Eleanor Rigby.

K

Revolver

[Kalevala]

Revolver

Thanks.  I'll check it out.

By the way, what are your thoughts about E.R.?

K

[AnotherSpin]

Thanks.  I'll check it out.

By the way, what are your thoughts about E.R.?

K

I don't know. Too intense and obvious maybe. Good of course, it's Beatles.

[LKB]

I don't believe that I've ever heard For No One?  Which album did that come out on?

Heartbreaking for me makes me think of Eleanor Rigby.

K

For No One is notable if only for Barry Tuckwell's brief appearance. Brief, but perfectly rendered. ( Also for its key of B Major, not a common choice for pop groups then, or now. )

[AnotherSpin]

For No One is notable if only for Barry Tuckwell's brief appearance. Brief, but perfectly rendered. ( Also for its key of B Major, not a common choice for pop groups then, or now. )

French horn solo in For No One was played by Alan Civil. All instruments were played by Paul, plus Ringo on drums.

[AnotherSpin]

Another famous example -- David Mason, who performed the flugelhorn part at the premiere of Ralph Vaughan Williams's Ninth Symphony, is also known for his piccolo trumpet solo in Penny Lane.

[LKB]

French horn solo in For No One was played by Alan Civil. All instruments were played by Paul, plus Ringo on drums.

I stand corrected. Good thing I'm not a horn player, I'd probably look for a rock to crawl under...